Norwich police arrest 39-year-old man for alleged drug-dealing

Norwich — City police said they arrested a 39-year-old man Wednesday evening after they observed him engaging in two “hand to hand” transactions consistent with narcotics dealing in front of his home.

Members of the Norwich Police Department’s Narcotics Unit along with the Community Police Unit watched the transactions while conducting narcotics surveillance in the area of Fifth Street and North Main Street.

Police obtained a search and seizure warrant for Dennis L. Reese’s residence, at 29 Fifth St., second floor. There, detectives and officers seized more than half an ounce of crack cocaine pre-packaged for sale, numerous 20 mg Oxycontin pills, a bottle of liquid morphine, approximately 70 grams of marijuana and $760 in cash.

Reese was charged with possession of narcotics for the Oxycontin, possession of narcotics for the morphine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, two counts of sale of crack cocaine, operating a drug factory, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and risk of injury to a minor.

The state Department of Children and Families was informed of the investigation, since Reese was babysitting his 4-year-old child. The child was in the home at the time of the narcotics dealings, police said.

Reese, who is a convicted felon, was held in lieu of a $250,000 cash bond pending his court appearance Thursday.

Police urged residents to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood by calling the police department at (860) 886-5561 or the department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (860) 886-5561 ext. 500.